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India will run away with the game
Pak are struggling with their batting, while India seem to have got their act sorted out. My gut feeling is the Indians will win, writes Srikkanth.
Sri Lanka are on a roll, aren't they? How often do you see 10-wicket victories in one-day cricket?
But play as well as they might, the one thing the Lankans will have to concede is that the most eagerly awaited match in the Asia Cup is the one on Sunday — the first India-Pakistan clash of a brand new season.
Diplomacy is not something that comes naturally to me and neither do I like to sit on the fence. So I am going to stick my neck out and say that my gut feeling is that the Indians will run away with the match or at least not have too much difficulty in beating their arch-rivals.
The feelings are not without reason.
Pakistan are struggling with their batting, while India seem to have got their act sorted out. Even in the match against Lanka, the manner in which the batsmen came back to all but pull off a win, is what gives me heart. On the other hand, the way the Pakistanis capitulated against the hosts, was not funny.
The Pakistan team's strength lies in their fast bowling — at least on paper. Shoaib Akhtar, Mohd Sami and the tall Shabbir can be a dangerous but that's where the depth in the Indian batting order comes in.
Unlike Pakistan's over-dependence on Inzamam, the Indians have their talents well spread out. If Sachin and Sehwag don't take off, there's always Ganguly and Dravid, not to forget Laxman and Yuvraj.
I think it is important for the Indians to let Sehwag carry on with his natural game. If he provides a typical start that lasts even 5-6 overs, his job will be done. It will be up to the others then.
Where the Indians will have a problem is with their team composition.
Normally in Lanka, more so at the Premadasa Stadium, the ball keeps low and slow but in this tournament I have noticed that the wicket has at times helped the quicker bowlers. Nevertheless, based on the fact that at least two games have now been played on the same ground, I would go in for both Kumble and Harbhajan along with Irfan and Nehra.
Please let us not take a chance with Zaheer, who seems fit one day, unfit the other and fit again!
Zaheer is a key bowler for India but he should be allowed time to get fully fit and not rushed. In any case, I don't see him going flat out if he plays.
Of course, it is not the easiest of choices to make and I will respect the judgement of the tour selectors should they decide to stick to three fast bowlers and one spinner. They know the present conditions best. (XSports Bangalore)
